CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Madhya Pradesh Jan Abhiyan Parishad, Bhopal district unit, organised a Stepwell Festival at the Khushwant Rai stepwell located in Naveen Nagar.
The programme was attended by Jan Abhiyan Parishad Vice-Chairman (Minister of State rank) Padma Shri Mohan Nagar as chief guest, along with Padma Shri Narayan Vyas, honoured for his unparalleled contribution in the field of archaeology, Executive Director Dr. Bakul Lod, and Divisional Coordinator Varun Acharya.
In his address, Vice-Chairman Mohan Nagar said that last year the Madhya Pradesh Jan Abhiyan Parishad had launched a shramdaan and public awareness campaign for the protection and promotion of stepwells. As a result, cleaning and maintenance work began at 2,200 stepwells. He said the effort drew society’s attention toward thousands of stepwells and inspired people to start preserving them.
He said stepwells are unique examples of architecture. In earlier times, kings and rulers had different kinds of stepwells built for animals, separate structures for drawing water, and specially designed stepwells for water conservation. He said these stepwells remain pioneers of water conservation even today and are a gift handed down by our ancestors, which must be safely passed on to future generations. He stressed that public participation is essential for the conservation of ancient stepwells.
Archaeologist Padma Shri Narayan Vyas informed participants about the history of the construction of ancient stepwells across the country and their utility. Praising the work being carried out by the Jan Abhiyan Parishad, he extended his best wishes to all.
Executive Director Dr. Bakul Lod shared information about the Stepwell Festival being organised through the Parishad under the Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan.
Divisional Coordinator Varun Acharya, District Coordinator Kokila Chaturvedi, Development Block Coordinator Nandkishor Malviya, Kailash Luvana, Padma Dixit, Lalitesh Agrawal and Narendra Pandey from Navankur Sanstha, along with a large number of members of Prasfutan Committees, advisers, CMCLDP students and residents of Naveen Nagar, participated in the programme.
The programme was conducted by Bharat Raghuvanshi, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Development Block Coordinator Nandkishor Malviya.
Hashtags: #MadhyaPradesh #Bhopal #WorldEnvironmentDay #KhushwantRaiStepwell #StepwellFestival #JanAbhiyanParishad #State #MohanNagar #NarayanVyas #WaterConservation
